Fomite: fo-mite Noun (plural fomites) (medicine, epidemiology). def: An inanimate object capable of carrying infectious agents (such as bacteria, viruses and parasites), and thus passively enabling their transmission between hosts. < link >
Media coverage, though sometimes raucous, is a necessary tool to help communicate the importance of the need for societal adjustments we are experiencing because of COVID-19. Media is also a necessary component of infection control and public health measures. Fortunately, we are not discussing a 2020 zoonotic pandemic.
Words such as quarantine or social distancing that are so often used by media outlets, create fear and anxiety in homo sapiens. With the first social onslaught against COVID-19 underway in North America, animal health pros can turn their attention to key methods of preventing transmission.
Fomite control is a core objective at the center of all disease control efforts.
Most of my questions about SARS-CoV-2, biosecurity and infection control no longer dangle unanswered thanks to the recent webinar sponsored by VIROX and the shared collateral.
Complimentary Sponsored Content: Webinar: Coronavirus (COVID-19) in veterinary and animal group settings, sponsored by VIROX Animal Health. Link. Key takeaways include:
There are still some unknowns:
- How much virus is shed over what time period by people incubating it without symptoms
- The risk significance of pets as fomites for aerosol virus particles captured in hair or fur
- If a cat or dog became infected with SARS-CoV-2 would they be a dead-end host or not.
The knowns:
- SARS-CoV-2 is relatively easy to kill
- Time of contact requirements for different disinfectants to achieve viral kill vary and are critical to fomite control. Depending on the surface, the virus lasts from three hours to three or four days.
- People must wash their hands, avoid the face/eyes and wear a mask when appropriate
- Diluting disinfectants by using them on wet surfaces renders them ineffective
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) use is situationally dependent; routine training/reinforcement is a must. Inventory management is important as supply issues are expected < link to inventory resource >.
- Veterinary clinics need to adjust receiving animals based on essential procedures versus elective visits or exams. Relegating some routine, important visits and communication to telehealth and home delivery options may provide the least risk of virus transfer
- Social distancing remains critical, but represents physical space not interactions
- Unified communication is essential to protect people, animals and personnel
Other resources:
- Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Fighting Products. Link. Consider all of your disinfectant requirements when choosing products. For example, corona viruses are easier to kill than parvo virus.
- Worms and Germs Blog. Link. Timely information from J.Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, Dipl ACVIM
- Corona virus stability, NIH, March 17, 2020. Link.